WPL countdown: Under new skipper Jemimah, Capitals aim to cross the final hurdle

For three seasons of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Delhi Capitals has stayed in the champion’s shadow. To reach the final of the showpiece T20 league every year is a testament to the franchise’s capability and consistency, but to not be rewarded for it with silverware even once must be difficult to digest.

When the tournament’s fourth season commences in Navi Mumbai on Friday, the three-time runner-up will aim to chart a slightly different course that entails finding a way past the final hurdle.

The responsibility of steering DC through this challenge has been entrusted to a new skipper in Jemimah Rodrigues. With franchises being allowed to retain a maximum of five players prior to November’s mega auction, Capitals opted to let go of Australia’s Meg Lanning. It has opened the door for Jemimah, who was one of the stars of India’s triumphant ODI World Cup campaign in November, to take on the task of leadership for the first time in the WPL.

Having displayed the capacity to perform under pressure during the recent World Cup — her unbeaten 127 in the semifinal against Australia was the cornerstone of India’s record chase of 339 — Jemimah seems to be ready to withstand the additional scrutiny that comes with captaincy.

“We have a strong group, and I can’t wait to get going as we look ahead to what we hope will be a very successful season, and finally cross that line that has eluded us in the last three years,” Jemimah said in a statement after being named DC skipper.

With Lanning’s move to UP Warriorz creating a void at the top of the order, it is imperative for South African opener Laura Wolvaardt to settle into her new surroundings in quick time. The 26-year-old was in phenomenal touch during the ODI World Cup — she was the tournament’s leading run-getter with 571 runs in nine innings, which included a contribution of 101 against India in the final. Wolvaardt’s opening partnership with Shafali Verma should make for delightful viewing.

Much of DC’s fortunes will also depend on South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp. Particularly with Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland pulling out of the tournament for personal reasons earlier this week, Kapp’s ability with bat and ball lends much-needed balance to the outfit.

Adding robustness to the spin department is Shree Charani. The 21-year-old left-arm tweaker will be complemented by off-spinners Sneh Rana and Minnu Mani and leggie Alana King.

The squad: Jemimah Rodrigues (Capt.), Laura Wolvaardt, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Deeya Yadav, Chinelle Henry, Lizelle Lee, Madiwala Mamatha (wk), Niki Prasad, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, and Nandani Sharma.

Capitals’ schedule: Jan. 10: vs Mumbai Indians; Jan. 11: Gujarat Giants; Jan. 14: UP Warriorz; Jan. 17: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (all matches at Navi Mumbai).

Jan. 20: MI; Jan. 24: RCB; Jan. 27: GG; Feb. 1: UPW (all matches at Vadodara).

Vital cog: Marizanne Kapp: Whether it is as a middle-order batter or as a medium-pacer, Kapp has been an influential presence in the Capitals set-up from the inaugural season. If DC is to go all the way this time, the South African will have to be as influential as she has been in the past